Because they helped the villagers eliminate demons and were delayed for half a day in Kongming Mountain, Ji Shiyou and his group hurried their journey, focusing on travel. They wanted to make up for the lost time and therefore increased their speed. Ji Shiyou no longer insisted on holding Mingyue's hand; they walked side by side at the front of the group. With the troublemaker Jun Shuxue gone, their progress also increased. By nightfall, they had traveled two hundred li in a day, twice their usual speed.
"Senior Brother, we've made up for the lost time. After we pass Furong Town ahead, we'll enter the Four Directions Mountain range. Why don't we stay overnight in Furong Town tonight and get a good rest? We can recharge our spirits and enter the mountain tomorrow?" Tian Jian approached to ask for permission, though he was actually instigated by his junior brothers. While he spoke of resting to prepare for entering the mountain, their real intention was to experience the renowned night market of Furong Town, famous throughout the Moonflower Realm.
Furong Town, located at the foot of Four Directions Mountain, was in the heart of the Moonflower Realm. It was a transportation hub where merchants from all directions gathered. Its night market was the most prosperous. Everything delicious and entertaining in the entire Moonflower Realm could be found here. Moreover, there was a cultivation area within the night market. Cultivators traded and sold spirit fruits and immortal teas. With luck, one could even find good magical treasures and secret manuals. Thus, the night market of Furong Town was famous far and wide, loved by mortals and sought after by many cultivators.
The Golden Crow Palace disciples, led by Nu Tao, had long been eager to visit. However, they didn't dare to tell Ji Shiyou themselves that they wanted to stay overnight in Furong Town. They could only pester Tian Jian to approach their Senior Brother, hoping to stay in Furong Town.
"No wonder you all rushed so hard today; you were all thinking about the night market in Furong Town." Ji Shiyou glanced at everyone, seeing their expectant gazes. With a cold tone, he said, "You all looked so nervous."
Everyone's hearts sank, thinking, "It's over." Their intentions had been seen through by their Senior Brother, who would surely think they were neglecting their cultivation for pleasure. It seemed a trip to the night market was out of the question.
"Since we have time, it's good to relax a bit. Balance is key in both scholarly and martial pursuits. However, you must be back before midnight. Don't stay out too late and affect tomorrow's mountain entry. You keep an eye on them." To everyone's surprise, Ji Shiyou agreed.
"Hooray, Senior Brother is the best!" They had thought it was hopeless, but unexpectedly, their Senior Brother agreed. He even allowed them to play until midnight. Nu Tao, the youngest, jumped up and shouted excitedly.
"Quiet down, maintain the image of Golden Crow Palace. You are disciples of an immortal sect, acting like you've never seen the world. Be grateful to Senior Brother, you ungrateful fellows." Tian Jian deliberately put on a stern face, his usual smiling demeanor replaced by feigned displeasure, as he chided the group of excited monkeys who had lost their heads in joy.
"Thank you, Second Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother is the best!" The Golden Crow Palace disciples, led by Nu Tao, were not afraid of Tian Jian at all. They rushed forward, lifted him up, and shouted loudly as they tossed him into the air.
Watching them happily interacting, Ji Shiyou reflected. Had he been too strict, causing his junior brothers to be so distant from him? He should pay more attention to his junior brothers in the future, just like this time. His agreement to stay in Furong Town wasn't for their sake at all. In truth, he wanted to take Mingyue to the night market to deepen their relationship.
"Put me down! If we don't find an inn to check in soon, and we miss the night market, I won't be responsible. I've been here before, so I'm not interested in the night market anyway." Tian Jian yelled. Everyone quickly put him down and ran towards Furong Town. Tian Jian straightened his disheveled clothes and slowly followed behind.
"Little monkeys, I can still handle you," Tian Jian thought to himself, deliberately walking slowly. The travel expenses for this trip were all with him. If he didn't go, they couldn't check into the inn. They dared to toss him? Let them worry!
"The night market in Furong Town is famous throughout the Moonflower Realm, with many delicious foods and fun things to do. Shall we go explore tonight? All expenses are on me!" Seeing that only he and Mingyue were left standing there, Ji Shiyou turned and said. Mingyue, wanting to maintain distance from Ji Shiyou, had intended to refuse. But upon hearing the last sentence, "All expenses are on me," she couldn't help but nod her head vigorously like a pecking chicken. Missing out on such a bargain would be unforgivable; she would cry herself to sleep. Her mind was already planning how to eat and buy her fill tonight.
Seeing Mingyue's calculating expression, Ji Shiyou's lips curved into a triumphant smile. He subtly took Mingyue's hand and walked towards Furong Town. However, there was a small hiccup during the check-in process. Because they walked slowly, by the time they reached the inn, Tian Jian had already completed the check-in. Being his usual considerate self, he had thoughtfully booked a room for Ji Shiyou and Mingyue. But Mingyue adamantly refused to share a room with Ji Shiyou, insisting on booking another room for herself.
"If you book another room, you'll have to pay for it yourself. The prices in Furong City are very high; a single night's room fee is five hundred taels." Ji Shiyou said helplessly, pulling Mingyue aside. He whispered, though he didn't actually know the room fee. He was exaggerating, confident that with Mingyue's greedy nature, she would be reluctant.
"Five hundred taels! Are they robbing us? Fine, five hundred taels it is. I'll pay for it myself, what's the big deal? I'm not short of money!" Mingyue said through gritted teeth. To maintain distance from Ji Shiyou, her heart was bleeding. She reluctantly took out her storage bag and walked towards the counter.
"You need to think carefully. If you don't share a room with me, then today's reward will be canceled, and you'll have to return one magical treasure to me." Ji Shiyou quickly stopped Mingyue. He hadn't expected Mingyue to react this way. She wasn't being stingy anymore, so he resorted to trickery, saying, "He was afraid that if Mingyue went to the counter to book a room, she'd discover the room fee wasn't five hundred taels as he claimed. Then Mingyue would think he was lying, and he wouldn't be able to explain.
"You're cheating! You didn't say that before. You said we'd travel together to Four Directions Mountain, not that we'd sleep together." Hearing that not sharing a room meant losing a magical treasure, Mingyue shouted loudly. This was like cutting off her flesh! In her haste, her voice became louder. The inn's first floor was bustling with people, and everyone turned to look at her and Ji Shiyou. Ji Shiyou's face immediately turned red. He thought, "It's not what you think." He just wanted to share a room with Mingyue to rest, not to sleep together. Well, "sleep together" was also a possibility, but his "sleep" was a noun. The way everyone looked at him clearly interpreted "sleep" as a verb. He wished he could disappear into a crack in the ground. Grabbing Mingyue, he was about to find a quiet place to explain.
"Oh, isn't this the hypocrite from Golden Crow Palace? What's this? The esteemed eldest disciple of Golden Crow Palace, always praised in the immortal sects for his elegance and uprightness, is actually trying to lure a young girl into a room? And you want to sleep with her? She doesn't want to. You're even forcing her, refusing to let go? If I see this, I can't just stand by. Little girl, don't be afraid. Is he bullying you? I'll stand up for you." At this moment, a teasing voice echoed from the second floor of the inn. A figure flashed, and a young man in white appeared before them, holding a jade flute and looking at Ji Shiyou with amusement.